I joined Saturday Toastmasters of Arlington meeting today. H was the table topic (impromptu speaking) master. Instead of simply asking people question/ giving topics. H gave us a structure ‘What, How, and Why’ and 3 minutes to think of the content (pick 1 thing to evaluate the speaker). The structure makes thinking on your feet …
Category Archives: Joy
Special Trip
A special trip to visit aunt who has been through chemo, explore Iowa (a new state for me and getting close to achieve 1 of my bucket list to visit all 50 US states), and stay overnight on a tree house (another bucket list item). Aunt seems skinner, thinner-haired, yet in good spirit. As always, …
Yoga & Stretch
Happy October! New month, new start. I joined a yoga studio in my neighborhood, a lapse for 2 years and 1st time to try different types of yogas (beyond gym class). It’s no surprise how I feel my muscle, tight or shaking sometimes yet ‘breath’ during movement and stay ‘present’ are more difficult. Mind kept …
Customer Service
I love Trader Joe’s, not only for its unique and often-refreshing selection of goods but also (more) for its excellent service/ staffs. Let me share with you 2 recent experiences… A few weeks ago, I was at a store and overheard 2 young staffs talking about a colleague who got promoted and will be moving …
WoW, What a Fortune!
I went home opening the fridge…WoW, a food truck just landed with 10 boxes of food. My roommate said his company had a welcome new employee party; nobody wanted to take the ‘left-over’ food home so he did. I was at the restroom of a public library. A young woman came in and left her …
Marathon Bike Ride
2nd week into my new home/ life and an Art Festival in downtown, I decided to ride a bike there before it’s getting cold. I haven’t rode for the whole summer because of moving (bike in storage). It’s ~10 miles each way so quite an exercise and ambitious adventure. A beautiful day to ride, sunny …
New Month Exercise
I did a monthly experiment – between 7/21-8/20, intentionally chose something new or did differently. I tracked and wrote the experience in ‘Open Mind’ and ‘1 Month Anniversary’ posts. It was fun and expanded my comfort zone. For September, I’d like a new exercise to get to know 3 new people or acquaintances more each …
New Month, New Home, New Life
September started a new chapter: new home, new roommate, new life! I signed a 1 year lease and will be settled for a while (vs. moved 5 times in the past 2 years). I’m grateful for the different experiences (beautiful small towns with 3min walk to trail and farm stands on road side; bustling city …
Moving
It has been a fun summer, living in the city, exploring different activities (e.g. African Festival, island getaway, improve meetup, summer concerts…) and restaurants (e.g. Italian Fettuccini & meatball, Korean fried chicken, Chinese Dim Sum & clay pot rice, Vietnam sandwich, French pastries…), and hanging out with roommate R & her friends (e.g. watching 7/4 …
1 month anniversary
7/22/19 I wrote ‘Open Mind’ post and decided to do an experiment – for a month 7/21-8/20, I’d intentionally choose something new or do differently… I’ve done many different things, e.g. Summer concerts: enjoying the symphony by the river park and watching people dancing in the city center plaza. Island getaway: joining my cousin & …